Fraser Valley/Lower Mainland – This is not how you want to start the New Year. There were several fatal crashes on BC highways to start 2019.
Road conditions, Speed and driver inexperience were factors.
1. On January 4, 2019 at approximately 1:30 AM a two vehicle fatal collision was reported on Highway 1 approximately 20 kilometres west of Field, BC.
Upon arrival it was determined that an eastbound passenger vehicle with two female occupants crossed the centre line and collided with a westbound transport truck. The female passenger in the sedan (an Alberta resident) was killed as a result of the collision. The driver of the sedan sustained serious injuries while the driver of the transport truck was uninjured. The collision remains under investigation by Trans Canada East Traffic Services (Golden), the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service and the BC Coroners’ Service. Weather, road conditions and driver experience are being considered as possible contributing factors to this crash. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact Trans Canada East Traffic Services at 250-344-2221.
2. On January 6, 2019 at approximately 1:00 AM Deas Island Traffic Services attended a single vehicle collision on Highway 99 (northbound) just north of Steveston Rd in Richmond, BC. Upon arrival it was determined that a northbound vehicle with a lone female occupant left the roadway, collided with a highway sign and landed upside down and partially submerged in the water-filled ditch adjacent to the highway. The female driver was from the Lower Mainland area. There is no indication that another vehicle was involved in this collision. It was raining heavily at the time of the crash and road/weather conditions as well as driver experience are being considered as possible contributing factors to this crash. Deas Island Traffic Services and the BC Coroners’ Service continue to investigate. Witnesses are being sought and anyone who has information regarding this collision is asked to call Deas Island Traffic Services at 778-290-2400.
3. On January 6, 2019 at approximately 5:40 AM Fernie RCMP received a report of a three-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 3 approximately one kilometre east of Fernie. Upon arrival it was determined that a westbound vehicle driven by a lone male occupant crossed the centre line and collided with an eastbound commercial van and a second vehicle that was following the van. The driver of the westbound vehicle who was not seat-belted, died in the collision. The two occupants of the van sustained non-life threatening injuries and the lone driver of the third vehicle was not injured. East Kootenay Traffic Services (Cranbrook), the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service and the BC Coroners’ Service continue to investigate this crash. At the time of the collision it was snowing heavily and there was snow accumulation on the highway. Road/weather and driver experience are being considered as possible contributing factors to this collision. Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact East Kootenay Traffic Services at 250-420-4244.
4. North Okanagan Vernon RCMP responded to a three vehicle fatal collision on Highway 97 near Birnie Road, south of Vernon on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at approximately 3:05 PM. Three southbound vehicles collided after one vehicle attempted to pass two other vehicles. One of the vehicles being passed was hit, that driver lost control and struck a rock face and the passenger in the car that was hit died in the ensuing collision. North Okanagan Vernon RCMP, the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service and the BC Coroners’ Service continue to investigate. Driver inexperience is being considered as a possible contributing factor to this collision. Anyone with information about this crash is asked to call North Okanagan Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171 and quote file 2019-405.
Again the reminder as road and weather conditions can change rapidly and without warning. Reducing speed lowers your chance of being injured or killed in a collision. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with proper winter tread when venturing out on BC’s highways this winter.
